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1 Parameters Included

The C-Peptide – Post Prandial (PP), Serum test measures the level of C-peptide in your blood 2 hours after eating a meal. C-peptide is a byproduct of insulin production, and its measurement helps assess how much insulin your pancreas is producing in response to food intake.

Why You Need It:

• Evaluate Post-Meal Insulin Production: This test helps determine how well your pancreas is producing insulin after food consumption. It's particularly useful in understanding your body's response to meals and glucose spikes.

• Assess Insulin Sensitivity: By measuring C-peptide after eating, the test can help identify insulin resistance or pancreatic dysfunction, which are key factors in the development of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

• Monitor Diabetes: For those already diagnosed with diabetes, this test helps track how well the pancreas is responding to food and producing insulin after meals.

How It Works:

After fasting for at least 8 hours, you eat a meal, and a blood sample is taken 2 hours after eating. The level of C-peptide is then measured. Since C-peptide is released in equal amounts to insulin when the pancreas secretes it, this test serves as a reflection of insulin secretion in response to glucose.

Normal Range:

• The normal range for C-peptide post prandial levels generally falls between 0.9 to 4.5 ng/mL, but it can vary slightly depending on the laboratory and individual health conditions.

• Low C-peptide levels may indicate insulin deficiency, as seen in type 1 diabetes or pancreatic insufficiency.

• High C-peptide levels may suggest insulin resistance, where the body produces more insulin in response to food but struggles to use it effectively.

Why It’s Done:

• To Monitor Insulin Production After Meals: This test is particularly useful for assessing how well your pancreas responds to glucose after eating. It can help evaluate insulin resistance or beta-cell function in individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

• To Diagnose and Monitor Insulin Resistance: Elevated C-peptide levels after a meal can suggest insulin resistance, which is often seen in type 2 diabetes and obesity.

• To Assess Pancreatic Function: The test is helpful in assessing pancreatic function and insulin production, which is crucial for understanding how well your body is handling blood sugar.